Trump Urges Gaza Truce Amid Palestinian Doubts

    0
    0

    In Tel Aviv, recent developments have highlighted the ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. President Donald Trump has been actively urging forward momentum in these talks, but there’s a pervasive skepticism among many Palestinians about the likelihood of success. Amid these diplomatic efforts, Israel has issued a new evacuation directive for regions in northern Gaza.

    Key adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, is expected to journey to Washington for ceasefire discussions, as shared by an Israeli official. Plans for Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. in the coming weeks suggest potential progress towards an agreement. On Sunday evening, Netanyahu convened with his security Cabinet to deliberate on plans which remained in the tentative stages.

    On social media, Trump pushed for action, stating, “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” His comments have raised expectations following his earlier suggestion of a possible agreement within a week. However, Palestinians remain doubtful of these renewed diplomatic efforts.

    Although a ceasefire was previously realized when Trump assumed office, Israeli military actions resumed in March as negotiations with Hamas faltered over proposed next steps. According to Abdel Hadi Al-Hour, a Palestinian resident, promises including the release of hostages tied to halting the war have not materialized in reality.

    The Israeli Defense Forces continue their operations, with a recent airstrike targeting a home in Gaza’s Jabaliya al-Nazla area, resulting in at least 15 fatalities, predominantly women and children, per Fares Awad of Gaza’s Health Ministry. This incident took place within an area covered by the latest evacuation order. The military did not comment on the strike.

    In a visit to the Shin Bet internal security service, Netanyahu addressed the dual objectives that arise from the Israel-Iran conflict and ceasefire efforts. These include securing the release of hostages and resolving the Gaza conflict, with a focus on defeating Hamas.

    A notable impediment to any agreement revolves around whether hostilities in Gaza should end concurrently with a ceasefire. Hamas spokesperson Mahmoud Merdawi attributed delays in negotiation progress to Netanyahu’s insistence on a temporary agreement, proposing the release of only a fraction of the captives. Currently, about 50 hostages remain, though survival estimates are less than half.

    The Israeli stance, as expressed by spokesperson Omer Dostri, places blame on Hamas as the sole barrier to ending the conflict. Contrarily, Hamas has voiced readiness to liberate all hostages in return for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and cessation of warfare in Gaza, a demand Israel rejects unless Hamas consents to disarm and go into exile.

    The violence in Gaza, stemming from Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, continues to ravage the area, killing 1,200 Israelis and capturing approximately 250. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 88 Palestinian deaths in the last 24 hours, increasing the cumulative death toll to approximately 56,500. The Ministry notes that most casualties are women and children, though it doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant deaths.

    The ongoing conflict has left Gaza’s residents repeatedly displaced, with massive damage to the infrastructure synonymous with an overreliance on external aid which has been limited post-ceasefire. Fewer than half of Gaza’s hospitals are functioning even partially, with hundreds of children needing medical evacuation, according to a U.N. humanitarian report.

    In response to military directives, large sections of northern Gaza have been ordered to evacuate again, disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands who returned during the prior ceasefire. The military plans to intensify operations in these evacuated areas.

    Simultaneously, Trump criticized the trial against Netanyahu for alleged corruption, labeling it a “POLITICAL WITCH HUNT.” He argued that the proceedings disrupt ceasefire negotiations, as Netanyahu attempts a deal that includes hostage negotiations. Last week, Trump’s call to halt the trial stirred unease in Israel despite his popularity there. This week, the court postponed further testimony.